WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Phoenix Campus
School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging,
learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong
learning, and service to God and humankind.
JUAD 3308- PH06 - Criminal Investigation
Term: Summer 2011, May 21, 2012 thru August 4, 2012
Instructor: Dave Wilson
Contact Information: 602-279-1011
Email: wilsond@wbu.edu
Office Hours: 8:00 to 6:00, Mondays and Tuesdays
Class Time and Location: Phoenix Campus – Mondays - Central Park Forest (2702 North 3rd
Street, Suite #1050, Phoenix, Arizona) and Blackboard.
Catalog Description: Practical application of forensic techniques as they apply to modern law
enforcement.
There is no prerequisite for this course
Textbook: The textbook used for the course is Criminal Investigation, by Swanson, Chamelin, and
Territo, 10th edition, from McGraw Hill, ISBN 9780073401539. The Textbook is Not required for the
class.
Optional Materials: Provided
Course outcome competencies: At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to
demonstrate an understanding of the key components of Criminal Investigation:
 terminology employed by criminal evidence technicians;
 historical milestones in forensics and investigation;
 the sequences of events required by investigators in a variety of criminal investigations;
 the crime laboratory and criminal investigation process;
 the behavioral analysis in criminal investigation;
 the rules of evidence and presentation in a court of law.
Attendance: Students enrolled at one of the University’s external campuses should make every effort
to attend all class meetings. All absences must be explained to the instructor, who will then
determine whether the omitted work may be made up. When a student reaches that number of
absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, the instructor will so advise the student and
file an unsatisfactory progress report with the campus dean. Any student who misses 25 percent or
more of the regularly scheduled class meetings may receive a grade of F in the course. Additional
attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are
considered a part of the University’s attendance policy.
Additional attendance policies: This course will be conducted in a Hybrid format, with 60%
classroom and 40% on-line (Blackboard).
Service for the Disabled: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is
the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any
educational program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as
the coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation
requests at (806) 291- 3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for
accommodations.
Course requirements: A news article review, a broadcast review, discussion boards, a 4-6 page
term paper, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. The course will be conducted in a hybrid format,
combining classroom and Blackboard activities, with classroom meetings weekly.
Means for assessing student achievement of the course competencies:
A. University Grading System
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
below 60
CR
NCR
I
W
WP
WF
X
IP
for credit
for no credit
Incomplete*
for withdrawal
Withdrawal Passing
Withdrawal Failing
No grade given
In progress
A grade of “CR” indicates that credit in semester hours was granted but no grade or grade
points were recorded.
* Both instructor and student must sign an Incomplete Form for this grade to be given. A grade
of incomplete is changed if the work required is completed prior to the date indicated in the
official university calendar of the next long term, unless the instructor designates an earlier date
of completion. If the work is not completed by the appropriate date, the I is converted to the
grade of F. An incomplete notation cannot remain on the student’s permanent record and must
be replaced by the qualitative grade (A-F) by the date specified in the official university calendar
of the next regular term.
B. Procedure used for computation of final grade: The grading will consist of 100 points, broken
down as follows. Late assignments will impact grades. All papers are to be type written, double
spaced, 12 point font.
1.
2.
3.
Prepare a 1 to 2 page “reaction paper” to a recent crime within the United States. Identify what
actions you would take as the assigned Investigator and what Investigative and evidence
issues would be relevant. Articles should be attached, or a news broadcast referenced. 5
points.
Prepare a 2 page “broadcast review” on a broadcast (movie, television show, or documentary)
true or fictional, involving a crime. Identify what occurred, what investigative procedures or
techniques were used, and your comments regarding the Investigation. 10 points.
Mid-Term examination 25 points. The timed exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions
developed from Chapters 1 through 8 of the text.
4.
5.
6.
Prepare a 4 to 6 page term paper on one of the identified topics. Papers need to identify the
topic, the investigative techniques involving the issue, technology involved, evidence presence
and collection. The paper must include what actions you would take or conclusions you would
draw as an Investigator. 20 points.
Final examination 25 points. The timed exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions
developed from Chapters 9 through 19 of the text.
Periodic discussion boards will be posted. Students are expected to post
comments/responses. Participation, attendance, and comments will account for a total of 15
points.
Instructor’s policy on Academic Dishonesty: Intellectual integrity and truthfulness are fundamental
to scholarship. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Plagiarism occurs when a student fails to give proper
credit when information is either quoted or paraphrased or when a student takes credit for another
person’s work. Plagiarism may result in an “F” in the course or expulsion from the class or the
university.
Tentative Schedule:
Week 1
May 21, 2012
Week 2
May 23, 2012
May 28, 2012
Week 3
May 30, 2012
Week 4
June 4, 2012
Week 5
June 6, 2012
Week 6
June 11, 2012
Week 7
June 13, 2012
Week 8
June 18, 2012
Week 9
June 20, 2012
Week 10
June 25, 2012
Week 11
June 27, 2012
Classroom discussion. Introduction. Review Chapters 1 & 2.
Select and prepare the news review.
Memorial Day. No Class.
News review due.
Classroom discussion. Review Chapters 3, 4, & 5.
Blackboard activities.
Chapter 8. Mid-Term Exam. Movie.
Blackboard assignment.
Broadcast review due. Discussion. Chapters 9, 10, & 12.
Blackboard assignment.
Term Paper Due. Chapters 13, 18, & 19. Classroom discussion.
Pizza & Hawaiian shirts.
Blackboard assignment. Final Exam (on-line).
Additional Information: This syllabus is not a contract. It can be changed or altered at any time by
the instructor. Instructor will notify students of any changes.